JOCKEY Aidan MacDonald is in critical condition in hospital following his horror Hexham fall two weeks ago.
The conditional jockey is believed to be receiving treatment on a suspected tear of the main blood vessel in his neck, which supplies the brain.
SunSport columnist Matt Chapman tweeted: “During @CheltenhamRaces Festival I mentioned on @itvracing conditional Aidan MacDonald had a horror fall @HexhamRaces.
“He is now in a critical condition and receiving active treatment for a suspected carotid artery dissection. All we can do is hope…”
MacDonald was said to have been conscious when rushed to Royal Victoria Infirmary following the fall at Hexham racecourse on March 18.
The jockey came crashing to earth three hurdles from home when sent flying from 22-1 shot Russian Royale.
The 11-year-old horse returned to his feet but MacDonald was left lying on the turf.
The Injured Jockeys Fund said in a statement that MacDonald had been discharged from hospital but returned after feeling unwell.
The statement said: “Aidan MacDonald had a fall at Hexham Racecourse on March 18 and went to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle from where he received extensive testing and was subsequently discharged.
“Yesterday, after being taken ill, he went in an ambulance to the James Cook Middlesbrough Hospital.
Our thoughts and prayers are with young conditional jockey Aidan MacDonald following news that he’s in a critical condition after a fall at Hexham on 18th March, as @mickfitzg reports
pic.twitter.com/xjdqhghTgV
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) April 1, 2021
“He is in a critical condition and receiving active treatment for a suspected carotid artery dissection.
“Aidan’s parents kindly ask for privacy at this difficult time.”
Racing fans flooded social media with well wishes for the jockey, who is originally from Hawick in the Scottish borders.
One said: “Awful news, sending love and wishes to him.”
Another posted: “Terrible news, prayers for him.”
A fellow Twitter user wrote: “It was such an awful fall. I was hopeful of positive news! Thinking of him and sending strength his way right now.”
One racing fan said: “Oh no this is so sad. Really hope he pulls through.”
While another comment read: “So sorry to hear this. Sending thoughts and prayers to him and his family.”
Racing legend Mick Fitzgerald said it was ‘very worrying’ to learn of MacDonald’s condition – and added his voice to those praying for a quick recovery.
He told Sky Sports Racing: “It’s really worrying when you get a statement released like that.
“Your thoughts, prayers, everything that you have goes to Aidan and his family.
“You keep everything crossed that the next thing we hear is good news.
“It’s a really worrying time for the family and I wish them all the very best.”
